pressed winner, led narrowly 13th until before 4 out, stayed challenging, upsides and every chance last, found no extra final 100 yards
soon led, mistake and narrowly headed 13th, stayed challenging, led again before 4 out but strongly pressed, mistake and stumbled 2 out, soon joined, driven to assert final 100 yards
hedl up in 4th, not fluent 8th, hit next, outpaced 14th, stayed on to modest 3rd last
soon pushed along in rear, mistake and reminders 10th, lost touch next, tailed off and pulled up 14th
tracked leading pair, still well there 14th, ridden before next, weakened 3 out, lost modest 3rd last
This revolves around the fitness, or possible lack of it, of Nine De Sivola, who incredibly is still officially a beginner over fences despite a record that includes finishing second in the Irish and Scottish Nationals. He hasn't been seen since pulling up in the Scottish National in April 2009 and will have bigger fish to fry in the spring. ON HIS OWN could be the one to take advantage if Ferdy Murphy's charge needs this despite making his chasing bow. The Irish point-to-point and bumper winner has always looked a likely chaser though he didn't look at home over hurdles at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and will need to jump much better. Sue Bradburne's pair Rossini's Dancer and Soldiers Tree are very moderate but Irish raider Posh Bird jumps well and will appreciate stepping up in trip.
Nine De Sivola (FR) 11-2fav (10-11) Always behind and never on terms when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Hello Bud (10-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '09, 17 ran.
On His Own (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chase leader and keen, hit 6th, ridden after 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 15, 18l behind Bobs Worth (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Rossini's Dancer 20-1 (11-0) In rear, jumped slow 1st, went 3rd from 6th, not fluent next, weakened from 4 out, in 3rd when left remote 2nd last, 2nd of 5, 24l behind Elzahann (10-7) at Ayr 2m 5f beg chase (4) gs.
Soldiers Tree (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear and keen, reminder approaching 6th, headway approaching next, ridden and weakened 2 out, 10th of 15, 21l behind Too Cool To Fool (11-3) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Posh Bird (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, 4th last, kept on same pace, 4th of 20, 7l behind Kyoto Summit (10-11) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Nov.
